SmartSDR Purchase?

Gary Schulz

I am very sorry if this question sounds completely dumb and if it offends anyone, but I have been away from this hobby for an extended time and I was just trying to upgrade/update/bug fix my FLEX6700.  I just downloaded what I think is the latest version of SW (v2.4.9) and I am shocked to see that I need to buy it?  $200 for me to update my radio that I already paid many thousands of dollars for?  Am I just looking in the wrong place for the current update for this radio or is it now orphaned because I need to spend $200 for every SW update.  I think I am a little disappointed here...

Gary

Jim Gilliam

You can always study the mathematics of the FFT, learn to program for Windows which takes years, spend endless hours of debugging. Learn the mathematics of digital filters, the mathematics of digital modulation and demodulation, I could go on for hours. I find that price of 200 dollars is very generous. I don't know how they can do it for that.


Jim, K6QE

KY6LA_Howard

You can always use V1.9 for Free V2 has many new features added that you need to pay for

Mike-VA3MW

Hi Gary

Yes, that is correct.  From the first time that SmartSDR was announced, this was going to be the plan for new versions.   However, you can continue to run V1 for as long as you wish as it will not expire.

V2 has a large number of improvements, include SmartLink for remote operating, DX spots on the waterfall and more that can be found in the SmartSDR readme files.

Mike

George KF2T

“Major” upgrades (whole digit left of the decimal) are available for purchase. They are not required to use your radio at whatever level (1, 2, 3...) you’re already at. Increments within a release (2.1, 2.2, 2.3.9, etc) continue to be at no charge. They may be applied at any time, provided you’re licensed for the major release version they apply to. You may download and use whichever 1.xx version you find most appropriate for your operating needs. The older versions are maintained on the Flex website. Welcome back!

Gary Schulz

I was hoping to avoid sarcasm but having been in the consumer/industrial/enterprise wireless industry myself for quite some time it would appear to be rare to have to pay for new features and especially bug fixes.

Gary Schulz

Thanks Michael.  I will spend more time researching the new features and benefits.  Will it allow me to do remote access on an Android platform?

K9DUR

Gary,

KY9LA said it in a nutshell.  SmartSDR v1.9 is still available and can be downloaded & installed on your 6700 at no cost.  SmartSDR v2.4.9 adds many new features which you may or may not want or need.  If you want the new features, you have to pay $200 for a license to use v2.4.9.  If you do not want the new features, you can continue to use v1.9 forever.  If there are some new features in v3 when it is released, pay the $200 & you will get all of the features added in v2 as well as the new features in v3.

73, Ray, K9DUR

Gary Schulz

Many thanks for the replies.  I will do my homework and decide which way is the best path forward based on my usage.

Gary

Mike-VA3MW

Hi Gary

  At this time, no.  

That being said, there are wonderful opportunities for those who actually develop Android apps to build their own client.  We have all the hooks in place to make this happen.  The IOS client was built by one person in a short amount of time.  There is an entire API platform that would allow both Android and Linux developers to jump in.

Are there no Android developers in Ham radio who own a Flex?

Mike

Art - N4QNT

Hello Gary, so the way it works now is, if you had a 1. somthing version with SSDR any update or patch download to 1.9.999 is free. It’s when Flex rolls out a major update like 2.0 which introduced Smart Link to create seamless remote operation with your Flex is when we have to swallow that $200 pill and for future .0 versions.. So the positive outlook for me is, ok I’m keeping a great company going and paying for Accountability! Great customer service and the best tech support hands down in the amateur radio business.

K2CB Eric Dobrowansky

And WHEN might we see V1.9? There's been no update to V1 since V2 came out. Wasn't there talk of a V1.x release, rewritten based on V2 code, addressing known issues, to be released once V2 was stabilized? Is this still the plan?

Joe N3HEE

It happens all the time Gary.  Our IT shop pays hundreds of thousands of dollars each year for maintenance contracts with hardware and software vendors for support and software upgrades.  Two hundred dollars every couple of three years is dirt cheap for tech support and upgrades.  Far cheaper than buying a new radio every two or three years.  People naturally complain because they don't understand this model and it's not the norm in amateur radio.  Flex is making bug fixes, major improvements and adding user suggested features where other vendors (Elecraft, ICOM, etc) are making bug fixes and maybe some minor improvements.  Pay the $200 and enjoy your new radio ! 

DaveC

V1.11 is the last free version of SmartSDR.

Mike-VA3MW

Correct.  V1 is complete.  

DaveC

I have been running 1.11.12 since Oct 2017 with no issues (knock on wood). But I mostly do CW and don't do remote. So I am happy with it.

KF4HR

Gary, each major software upgrade beyond 1.x is an optional purchase (2.x, and up), at $200 a pop, but as noted above, your 6700 will work just fine using the 1.x software. 

The major feature added to 2.x is its ability to control the Flex 6xxx series rigs remotely, (and other smaller features were also added).  If the remote feature is not that important to you, you won't miss too much by staying with 1.x.

Another thought. The 2.x software has been out for awhile now.  You might want to consider just continuing to use your 1.x software (update to the latest 1.x version), then wait to see what new features 3.x brings.  There's no word on when (or even if) the 3.x software upgrade will be released, but with the sales of the 6400/M & 6600/M I suspect 3.x will be coming eventually.

Burt Fisher

Is there any reason to believe there ever will be a 3.x

Mike-VA3MW

Yes in answer to your direct question

KF4HR

Have some faith Superman!

Rick WN2C

Michael, wasn't there a time when those who bought their 6700s got the upgrade to Vers 2 when it came out? You know the signature series?

KY6LA_Howard

Correct The original Signature Series 6500/6700 purchasers who put down deposits on radios before they were released included a Free upgrade to V2. I had one of those Easy to tell...there are signatures on the bottom of the radio.

KY6LA_Howard

KY6LA

Johan _ SE3X

Very very much look forward to multi-client functionality in 3.0 .. For me a deal breaker for spending the $200 

Chris DL5NAM

... they was named "Limited Edition"  at upper right corner - i have one too

Burt Fisher

KF4HR 2.x already does a lot so why a 3.x? I would get it if it has some of the following, be able to send digital modes without a computer, adjustable band segmentation, copy Morse code, be able to save voice recordings (what Elecraft already has) boot up that takes only 10 seconds.

Gary Schulz

Interesting.  Mine is a "Signature Series" and I bought it while being wait listed before production... I guess the update to v2.x (cost or no cost) isn't automatically determined when you do the download based on S/N of the particular radio?

KY6LA_Howard

Are there signatures on the bottom panel. If so, call Flex with. Ur serial number as V2 is free

K9DUR

Gary,

Contact Flex support.  They should be able to verify your radio s/n & unlock the update.  When they were rolling out v2, there were several instances where an eligible radio was not in the database.

73, Ray, K9DUR

K1UO Larry

Got a point with that boot up time thingy Burt...  Now my new SS Amplifier is waiting those precious minutes for the radio to boot up ;-)

Scott Russell - N1SER

Burt, really those features should be added to v2 since some (except dig w/o pc) should already be in the current version. Let's hope they get added and no have to pay for an upgrade to get them.